Patents by Inventor Charles Mandrin

Charles Mandrin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6164458
    Abstract: A method for separating a first liquid from a second liquid, with the one liquid not being soluble in the other, the first liquid being contained as droplets in the second one, and with the two liquids having different densities. In a first step the liquid mixture is conducted during a first time interval as a turbulent flow through installations, in particular through a filler body in a packing column or through a static mixer, for coalescing the droplets. In a second step the flow rate of the mixture is reduced during a second time interval to continue the coalescence, and, in a third step, the speed of the mixture flow is further reduced and directed opposite to or with the force of gravity so that larger descending or rising droplets can be collected and separated out. The smaller droplets are carried along further by the second liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Charles Mandrin, Hans Ruckstuhl
  • Patent number: 5407468
    Abstract: The water is brought into contact with a gas mixture for the removal of its oxygen content. The gas mixture is then circulated in a circulation (6, 7) and at the same time the oxygen is removed from the gas mixture charged therewith in a catalytic device (9) by means of a fuel gas. For this purpose a gas mixture (15) is produced from a fuel gas (12) and an inert gas (13), conveyed to the circulation in an explosion-proof manner and added to the recycling gas by mixing. The fuel gas content and the inert gas content of the gas mixture supplied (15) are adjusted so that the resultant gas mixture (16) in the circulation in front of the catalyst device (9) has firstly an excess factor E=1 and so that secondly it lies under the ignition limit (Z). This produces by simple means a cost-effective plant, which can be operated so that it is explosion-proof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventor: Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 5025860
    Abstract: The natural gas which is obtained from a maritime deposit is purified on a platform or ship and is then compressed and cooled while on the platform or ship before being delivered under pressure to a LNG tanker where liquefaction takes place by expansion. An expansion group is disposed on the tanker in order to obtain liquefied natural gas at approximately 1 bar while non-liquified residual gases are returned to the platform or ship via a return line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 5006133
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for deoxidation of water uses a catalytic combustion chamber in which a fuel having a low ignition temperature is first delivered during a start-up phase in order to begin ignition. The fuel used for start-up may, for example, be vaporized methanol or hydrogen. After an interval of time, the fuel supplied is continuously throttled and, at the same time, an operational fuel having a higher ignition temperature is supplied in increasing quantities until the stripping gas reaches a required temperature. On completion of the start-up phase, only the operational fuel which consists of, or least contains natural gas as a component, is then fed to the catalytic combustion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventors: Charles Mandrin, Rene Keller
  • Patent number: 4937004
    Abstract: The method for the deoxidation of chlorinated water, more particularly sea water, by means of a low oxygen content stripping gas, comprises a closed circuit in which a liquid absorbent circulates. For dechlorination, the liquid absorbent is brought into contact in an absorption column with the stripping gas charged with oxygen and chlorine. The absorbent is of a nature not to absorb at least one of the components comprising carbon dioxide, oxygen and hydrocarbons, and is fed to the absorption column by a pump from a reservoir in the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventors: Charles Mandrin, Rene Keller
  • Patent number: 4903496
    Abstract: The plant for the periodic charging and discharging of a gas reservoir comprises a gas circuit containing a compressor and a heat exchanger. A line for supplying the gas for storage and for discharging stored gas to a consumer is connected to the gas circuit. The gas is stored as a gas at low temperature and elevated pressure or as a liquid gas at substantially ambient pressure. A heat exchanger disposed in the gas circuit is operated as a cooler or heater depending on whether gas is to be stored or discharged. The heat-transfer or refrigerant liquid flowing through the heat exchanger is either cooled in a refrigerating machine or heated in a heater. Depending upon requirements, a gas, e.g. natural gas, can be prepared in one and the same plant for charging a reservoir or for emptying the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 4716737
    Abstract: A liquified hydrocarbon is vaporized in the installation by being brought into direct contact with heated compressed hydrocarbon in a heat exchanger. The hydrocarbon is compressed in a compressor (2), which is driven by a steam turbine (1). To heat the compressed hydrocarbon, the hydrocarbon is brought into heat exchange with the waste steam from the steam turbine, in the process of which the waste steam condenses. The product can be withdrawn before or after the compressor (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 4564515
    Abstract: The multi-stage process separates at least one heavy isotope from a hydrogen-containing compound or a hydrogen containing mixture, using ammonia synthesis and a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen. The main product is water at least substantially free of deuterium and tritium, additional products being compounds enriched in deuterium and tritium, and nitrogen enriched in .sup.15 N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 4504460
    Abstract: The synthesis gas plant is operated in n successive periods. During the first period, fresh water in excess is supplied to the synthesis gas plant (1) and the waste water from the resulting mixture is separated in a condenser (8) and supplied to a storage container (25). During the next (n-1) operating periods the waste water stored in the container (25) is used as freed water for the synthesis gas plant (1) and the waste water obtained on each occasion is stored in layers, depending on its deuterium concentration, in the container (25). The waste water having the highest deuterium concentration, obtained during the last operating period, is introduced into a second container (24) and supplied therefrom to a heavy-water plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 4426370
    Abstract: The synthesis-gas plant is operated in a number of successive operating periods such that during the first operating period an excess of fresh water is supplied to the synthesis gas plant and the waste water from the resulting mixture is separated in a condenser and supplied to a storage container. During the subsequent operating periods, the waste water stored in the container is used as the feed water for the synthesis gas plant and the waste water obtained on each occasion is stored in the container with increasing deuterium concentration. The waste water obtained during the last operating period and having the highest deuterium concentration is used to feed a plant for producing heavy water.This process, when used in a synthesis gas plant for producing hydrogen, can be used to obtain deuterium-enriched water as a feedstock for a heavy-water plant without expensive additional energy-consuming devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 4414195
    Abstract: Hydrogen is produced in a synthesis gas plant which is subdivided into several units. The units are operated in such a way that concentrated water is separated from the effluent leaving the first unit in a condenser and supplied to the next stage as feed water. The steam produced in the last unit which is most strongly enriched with deuterium relative to the first unit is separated in a condenser and the deuterium-enriched water is introduced into a tank from which the water is supplied to a heavy water production plant as a starting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 4271665
    Abstract: An installation for producing compressed gas or mechanical energy contains an aircraft jet engine, the exhaust gases from which are used to heat a steam generator. A heat exchanger cools the exhaust gas to atmospheric temperature. The steam generator can provide steam for a steam turbine driving the compressor which compresses the exhaust gas to the final pressure. A gas turbine without a useful turbine or a second jet engine can be disposed between the heat exchanger and compressor and its exhaust gas can be used to heat a second steam generator. An additional heat exchanger cools the gas to atmospheric temperature and the compressor compresses it to the final pressure. The compressor can also comprise the compression stage of a gas turbine without a useful turbine or the compression stage of an aircraft jet engine having an expansion stage which drives a useful turbine producing mechanical energy. The expanded exhaust gas from the useful turbine can be used to supply heat for an additional steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 4234553
    Abstract: To reduce the consumption of electricity, a portion of the deuterium-enriched water is stored during the winter while the remainder is used to produce hydrogen in the heavy water preparation plant. The stored deuterium-enriched water is then used in the summer with fresh water to produce hydrogen in the electrolyzer for delivery to the ammonia synthesizing plant. Surplus hydrogen is stored during the summer for subsequent use in the synthesizing plant during the next winter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 4213953
    Abstract: In order to replace the electricity required to drive the compressors of the apparatus, the nitrogen-producing means is supplied with a flow of a synthesis gas mixture from the synthesis circuit of the synthesizing plant. This gas mixture is burned with compressed air to form a mixture of water vapor and nitrogen. The water vapor is then condensed in a condensor and separated out for entry into an exchange tower of the monothermal isotope exchanger. The separated nitrogen is supplied together with hydrogen to form the synthesis gas mixture for the synthesizing plant. In addition, a steam circuit is connected with the condensor and has a steam turbine which produces work to drive the compressor for the air and the compressors used to compress the synthesis gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1980
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 4184325
    Abstract: A flow of hot combustion gas from an open gas turbine plant surrenders heat via an intermediate forced-flow circuit to a vapor circuit system in which a hydrocarbon working medium flows. The forced-flow intermediate circuit uses a liquid heat vehicle such as a mixture of diphenyl and diphenyl oxide to transfer heat from the hot exhaust gas of the open gas turbine plant to the working medium of the vapor circuit system. This heat vehicle is passed through a plurality of successively connected tubes in the exhaust gas duct so as to reduce the amount of leakage should a leak occur in the tubes and, thus, the chance of an explosion.The waste heat transferred to the vapor circuit system can be used to drive a compressor of a refrigerating circuit, e.g. used to cool a flow of natural gas in a pipeline located in an arctic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 4123508
    Abstract: Deuterium-enriched water is manufactured for use as the raw material of a heavy water manufacturing plant. The enriched water is manufactured by supplying a flow of deuterium-enriched steam to a catalytic production plant in which hydrocarbons are dissociated in the presence of steam while effecting a deuterium isotope exchange between the hydrogen and steam. The mixture flowing from the plant is passed to a condensor which condenses out deuterium-enriched water for use as the raw material in a heavy water plant. This water is also used to enrich the steam passed into the catalytic production plant for the hydrogen. The mixture is also passed onto an exchange stage to enrich a further supply of water before exhaustion of the hydrogen gas to further processing plants. This additional enriched water is also used to enrich the steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 4038035
    Abstract: A flow of hydrogen and steam is first passed into isotope exchange with fresh water of natural deuterium concentration to effect enrichment of the hydrogen with deuterium. Thereafter, the enriched hydrogen and steam mixture is heated to superheat the steam and the mixture is passed into a reactor and over a suitable catalyst to effect a further isotope exchange. The hydrogen is thus further enriched with deuterium from the superheated steam. The further enriched hydrogen is then delivered to a heavy water recovery plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventors: Mehmet Sahabettin Ergenc, Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 4036028
    Abstract: The waste heat of an open gas turbine system used to heat a flow of liquified natural gas is recovered and passed via an intermediate heat exchange circuit or system to the flow of liquified natural gas. The intermediate circuit uses hydrocarbons which may or may not have been halogen-substituted as the heat exchange medium. The heat is extracted from the flue by closed piping systems which use water as a heat carrier as well as a system which uses an anti-freeze agent such as methanol. The anti-freeze circuit permits injection of the anti-freeze agent into the intake of the gas turbine while a rectifying column allows recovery of the anti-freeze agent. The intermediate circuit includes a vapor turbine which expands the hydrocarbon medium after the hydrocarbon medium receives heat in order to produce useful work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 4033135
    Abstract: The plant obtains heat energy from a diesel engine plant in order to vaporize a flow of liquid natural gas. The obtained heat is conducted via a circuit containing a hydrocarbon heating agent to the liquid natural gas pipeline. In one embodiment, heat energy is also obtained from a further heat source such as sea water to heat the liquid natural gas. In another embodiment, a part of the heat energy obtained from the diesel engine plant is used directly to heat the liquid natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Charles Mandrin
  • Patent number: 3978663
    Abstract: The liquified natural gas is passed in heat exchange relation with a flow of air in order to use the heat energy in the air to heat and vaporize the liquified natural gas. The resulting cooled air is then used as the input to an open gas turbine plant. This, in turn, increases the efficiency of the turbine plant and an overall conservation of energy effect is produced. In order to avoid freezing of any water vapor in the air, a medium having a lower freezing point than water is mixed into the air flow prior to heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1976
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventors: Charles Mandrin, Mehmet Sahabettin Ergenc